Globe support

ABSTRACT

A universal support for globes of varied configurations and sizes on a light fixture. The support includes a hub having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially projecting fingers secured to a threaded sleeve projecting upwardly from the light socket of the fixture and traversed by the electrical power cord thereof. The fingers are pivotally secured to the hub so as to be movable between downwardly and upwardly extended positions, and means are provided for selectively retaining the fingers in a plurality of intermediate positions conducive to internalengaging support with globes of varied configurations and sizes. The fingers may be moved to their upwardly extended positions to permit entry of the socket and support through the globe opening into the interior thereof, whereupon the fingers are released to their selectively retained position for internal supporting engagement with the globe.

United States Patent 1 Contratto et al.

[ June 19, 1973 I GLOBE SUPPORT [73] Assignee: U .S.'1n dustries, Inc., New York,

22 Filed: Sept. 9, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 178,968

[52] US. Cl. 240/144 [51] Int. Cl. F2lv 17/02 [58] Field of Search 240/73 R, 78 R, 78 G,

[56] I References Cited 472,355 8/1914 France 240/132 Primary Examiner-Joseph F. Peters, Jr. Attorney-Joseph B. Gardner [57] ABSTRACT A universal support for globes of varied configurations and sizes on a light fixture. The support includes a hub having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially projecting fingers secured to a threaded sleeve projecting upwardly from the light socket of the fixture and traversed by the electrical power cord thereof. The fingers are pivotally secured to the hub so as to be movable between downwardly and upwardly extended positions, and means are provided for selectively retaining the fingers in a plurality of intermediate positions conducive to internal-engaging support with globes of varied configurations and sizes. The fingers may be moved to their upwardly extended positions to permit entry of the socket and support through the globe opening into the interior thereof, whereupon the fingers are released to their selectively retained position for internal supporting engagement with the globe.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented June 19, 1973 3,740,547

2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TORI (JAMES CONTRATTO f E 'Rlc ZGREEN QM Z I ATTORNEYS Patented June 19, 1 973 3,740,547

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS L/AMES CONTRATTO FEEDER/C L. GREEN A ORNEYS GLOBE SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various light fixtures exist which basically comprise a light socket with an electrical power cord traversing a threaded sleeve which projects upwardly from the socket, a globe support secured to the sleeve, and a decorative globe supported by the support in encompassing relation to the socket and a light bulb retained therein. Globes of various configurations and sizes are of course possible, for example the globes may be of tapered, elongated right cylindrical, oblate spheriod, and other configurations; and different sizes may be provided in each of these configurations. Because of the diversity of configurations in particular, it has heretofore been the usual practice to provide globe supports which are only suited to the support of a globe of a particular configuration, even though the size thereof may vary. In other words, a support which has been adapted to support a globe having a necked-down portion has been previously unsuited to the support of a globe of oblate configuration, for example, even though the support may be arranged to support different sizes of globes having the same configuration. If is of course desirable from an economic standpoint that a single support'be provided to universally support globes of a number of different configurations and sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a globe support for an electrical light fixture, andis more particularly directed to a universal support for selectively supporting globes of varied configurations and'sizes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a light fixture globe support which is arranged for universal internal supporting engagement with globes having necked-down or tapered portions, oblate spherical configurations, elongated right cylindrical configurations, as well as other configurations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a universal globe support which may be simply adjusted to selectively accommodate globes of varied configurations and sizes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a universal globe support of the class described which is adapted for ready installation in globes of varied configuration.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a universal globesupport of the type outlined hereinbefore which is of relatively simple and inexpensive design.

In the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, a universal support in accordance with the present invention generally comprises a hub having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly projecting fingers secured to a threaded sleeve which projects upwardly from the light socket of the fixture and is traversed by the electrical power cord thereof. The fingers are pivotally secured to the hub so as to be movable between downwardly and upwardly extended positions. Means are provided for selectively retaining the fingers in a plurality of intermediate positions conducive to internal engaging support with globes of varied configurations and sizes. Such means are advantageously provided as a washer freely disposed on the sleeve subjacent the hub, and an adjusting nut threadably secured to the sleeve subjacent the washer to support same at selective positions along the sleeve. The washer may thus be selectively supported at a position downwardly along the sleeve to thereby engage and retain the fingers in downwardly outwardly inclined positions conducive to supporting engagement with the interior of the neck of a globe having a tapered or necked-down portion. Alternatively, the washer may be selectively supported at a position upwardly along the sleeve to support the fingers in outwardly extended horizontal position conducive to supporting engagement with the interior face of the upper wall of a globe of oblate configuration. As a further feature, the inner side edges of the fingers may be notched at their free ends and the hub be reversible on the sleeve such that in reversed position with the fingers horizontally outwardly extended, the notched ends face upwardly and are engageable with the lip that circumscribes the opening of some globes. In all cases of globe configuration described above, the fingers may be moved to their upwardly extended position to permit entry of the socket and support through the globe opening into the interior thereof, whereupon the fingers are released to their selectively retained position for internal supporting engagement with the globe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a universal globe support in accordance with the present invention depicted in supporting engagement with a globe having a necked-down portion;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but depicting the support in supporting engagement with a globe having an oblate configuration and an upwardly turned lip circumscribing the globe opening;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are side elevational sectional views on a reduced scale depicting the universal globe support in association with globes respectively of tapered, right cylindrical, and oblate spheroid configurations;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the universal support in association with a lighting fixture, components thereof being illustrated in sections, the view being taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 7 is a broken vertical sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a light fixture 11 which includes a socket 12 for receiving a light bulb and having an upwardly extending threaded sleeve 13 traversed by a power cord 14 for supplying electrical power to the socket as well as hanging the fixture from a ceiling. A globe 16, in this case one having a neck 17, is supported from the sleeve 13 so as to encompass the socket and a light bulb retained therein. I-Ieretofore a globe support employed for this purpose would be suited to the support of only a globe having a neckeddown portion. However, in accordance with the particularly salient aspects of the invention a universal globe support 18 is utilized to support globe 16, which support is also adapted to support globes of other configurations such as those depicted in FIGS. 2-5.

The universal globe support 18 generally includes a hub 19 secured to sleeve 13 and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending fingers 21 which are pivotal between upwardly extended and downwardly extended portions substantially parallel to the sleeve. In addition, adjustable retaining means 23, movable along sleeve 13 and securable thereto at selective longitudinal positions, are provided subjacent the hub to retain or support the fingers at intermediate positions, such as the downwardly outwardly inclined position illustrated in F l6. 1 which defines a substantially conical configuration conducive to internal supporting engagement with the neck 17 of globe 16.

Considering now the hub 19 in greater detail with re gard to the preferred structure thereof, the hub preferably includes a plurality of pairs of spaced radially projecting tabs 24 at circumferentially spaced positions, each pair of tabs defining a slot therebetween. The fingers 21 are then joumaled in the slots defined between the respective pairs of tabs. To facilitate securance of the hub 19 to threaded sleeve 13, the hub may be freely disposed on the sleeve and retaining nuts 26 and 27 threadably secured thereto at the upper and lower ends of the hub. Alternatively, the hub bore may be internally threaded and directly threadably secured to the sleeve. With regard to the fingers 21, the outer side edges thereof are preferably substantially arcuate but include raised flat portions at their pivoted ends. The inner side edges are flat and are preferably provided with notches 28 at their free ends for purposes subsequently described.

Adjustable retaining means 23 preferably comprise a washer 29 freely disposed on sleeve 13 subjacent hub 19 and an adjusting nut 31 threadably secured to the sleeve subjacent the washer. Thus, the washer and nut may be moved longitudinally of the sleeve and secured at any desired position therealong merely by twisting the adjusting nut. The washer and nut may be secured at a downward position along the sleeve, as indicated in FIG. 1, wherein the fingers 21 engage the washer and are thereby retained in the previously noted down-,

wardly and outwardly inclined cone defining position of supporting engagement with the neck 1'7 of globe 16. With the fingers similarly positioned, the universal support 18 may be employed to support a globe 32 of tapered configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3. Different globe sizes and/or neck diameters are readily accommodated with the globe support 18 merely by adjusting the angular spread of the fingers 21 through variation of the longitudinal position of the washer 29 and adjusting nut 31 along the sleeve 13.

The universal globe support 18 may also be utilized to support a globe 33 having a right cylindrical configuration including a flat upper wall 34, in the manner shown in FIG. 4. More particularly, the washer 29 and adjusting nut 31 are secured to sleeve 13 at an upward position from that illustrated in F116. 1 so that the washer engages the fingers 21 at elevated locations therealong to retain the same in an outwardly extended, generally horizontal position of supporting engagement with the flat upper wall 34 of globe 33, as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the universal support 18 is depicted as supporting a globe 36 of still another configuration: namely, an oblate spheriod. In this case, the globe 36 includes an upwardly turned lip 37 describing a circular center opening 38 which is closed by a dome shaped cover 33 overlying the same. To support such globe, the hub 12 is secured to the sleeve 13 in inverted position relative to that previously described, and the fingers 21 are retained in outwardly extended horizontal position by means of the washer 29 engaging the flat portions es of the fingers. At this time, the notches 28 are upwardly facing and seat within the opening 38 to engage the lip 37 of the globe 36 and thereby prevent translational displacements therebetween in generally horizontal directions. When the retaining nuts 26 and 27 are used to fixedly locate the hub 19 relative to the sleeve 13, it is most advantageous to remove the lower nut 27 to enable the washer 29 to abut the flat surface areas 25 of the fingers 21, which surface areas at this time are substantially coplanar with the lower edge of the hub 19. If the nut 27 is permitted to remain in position, the long surface areas 40 adjacent the notches 28 of the fingers 21 will not be horizontally disposed and, therefore, will not engage the upper surface of the globe 36 throughout the long area of contact depicted in FIG. 2.

It should be noted in all of the foregoing instances that to facilitate assembly of the globe support 18 with a globe, the fingers 21 are initially swung into their upwardly extended positions to permit entrance of the socket 12 and support 18 into the globe interior through the globe opening or open upper end thereof, as the case may be. Thereafter, the fingers are swung outwardly into their support positions of abutment with the washer 29 to positively locate the fingers and thereby support the globe from the interior thereof.

As shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support 18 is comprised of two substantially identical elements that are inverted with respect to each other and fixedly interconnected so as to define the composite support 18. More particularly in this respect, the ring-shaped hub components of these support elements are respectively denoted with the numerals 41 and 41' (FIG. 7), and each such component is equipped with a plurality of angularly spaced, radially projecting spokes 42 (differentiation between the spokes and other components of the two support elements being observed by using the primed form of the identification numerals for the components associated with the lower support element and hub component 41' thereof). In the particular embodiment of the invention being considered, there are three such spokes 42 spaced from each other by approximately As is most evident in FIG. 7, the spokes 42 and 42 are oriented in vertical alignment, and they are fixedly secured to each other by any appropriate means, such as pins 43 respectively driven into aligned openings provided for this purpose in the juxtaposed spokes.

The aforementioned tabs 2d are disposed in a somewhat radial orientation, at least as respects a center line therethrough, and each tab is comprised of a pair of spaced apart generally parallel support spokes or tab components 44 and 44 respectively provided by the top and bottom support elements. The tab components 44 are respectively interposed between the spokes 42 and essentially bisect the space therebetween with the result that the three spokes 44 provided in the embodiment of the invention being considered are angularly spaced from each other by approximately 120. However, because the tab components are not radially disposed, when one of the support elements is inverted with respect to the other and the fastener spokes 42 oriented in alignment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the respectively paired tab elements 44 and 44' are spaced apart so as to receive the associated finger 21 therebetween.

Pivotal movement of each finger 21 is provided by a pin 45 extended through an opening provided for this purpose in the associated finger, and projecting into recesses adapted to accommodate the end portions of the pin, and which recesses are located within the tab components 44 and 44'. By referring to FIG. 7 it will be noted that each tab component 44 projects outwardly from the hub component 41 with substantially the same thickness or vertical dimension for a short distance, and thereafter enlarges in vertical dimension so as to have substantially the same height as that of the composite hub 19 defined by the juxtaposed hub components 41 and 41 Accordingly, each of the tap components 44 is similarly constructed and the enlargement thereof extends upwardly in spaced relation with the hub component 41, as is evident in FIG. 6. Therefore, each composite tab 24 has sufficient vertical height to accommodate the associated pivot pin 45 at about the center line of the composite support 18.

The socket 12 is affixed to the threaded sleeve 13 in the conventional manner, and the nut 31 may be fixed in any position of adjustment along the sleeve 13 by means of a set screw 46. In the position of the universal support 18 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7, the support element having the hub 41 and tab components 44 is in the uppermost position with the element having the hub 41' and tab components 44' being the lowermost element. In this orientation of the support, the fingers 21 are displaceable outwardly from the innermost positions thereof defined by the nut 31 and adjustment washer 29 being adjacent the socket 12 to their outermost positions shown in FIG. 4 in which the nut 31 and washer 29 are adjacent the lower nut 27. In FIG. 7, two positions of adjustment of the fingers 21 are respectively shown by full and broken lines. When the support 18 is in the orientation depicted in FIGS. 2 and 5, the support elements are inverted from the position shown in FIG. 7, for example, so that the hub component 41' will then overlie the hub component 41, and the fingers 21 will have the disposition shown in FIG. 5 in which the finger surfaces 40 are generally horizontally disposed so as to engage the overlying surface of the globe 36.

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention has been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of making a complete disclosure thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fingers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means for selectively retaining said fingers in a plurality of positions including positions intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes, said retaining means being adjustably carried by said sleeve for selective axial positioning therealong subjacent said hub and supportingly engageable with said fingers, whereby said retaining means may be secured to said sleeve at an upward position therealong to engage said fingers and support the same in outwardly extended generally horizontal positions conducive to internal support of a globe having a substantially fiat upper wall and also may be secured to said sleeve at a plurality of downward positions therealong to engage said fingers and support the same in a plurality of positions in which they incline downwardly and outwardly and are conducive to internal support of globes having necked-down portions.

2. The combination of claim 1, further defined by said sleeve being externally threaded, and said retaining means comprising both a washer disposed on said sleeve subjacent said hub and an adjusting nut threadedly secured to said sleeve subjacent said washer.

3. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fingers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means for selectively retaining said fingers in a plurality of positions including positions intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes, said hub being reversibly securable to said sleeve, and said fingers having notches in one side edge thereof at their free ends for engagement with an upwardly turned lip about the opening of a globe in one reversible position of securance of said hub to said sleeve.

4. The combination of claim 3, further defined by said fingers on the other sides thereof having generally arcuate outer side edges with raised flat portions at the pivoted ends thereof for engagement with said washer in one position of said hub.

5. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fingers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means for selectively retaining said fingers in a plurality of positions including positions intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes, said hub comprising a pair of substantially identical hub elements each equipped with a plurality of angularly spaced spokes and a plurality of angularly spaced tabs, said spokes and tabs extending outwardly from the respectively associated hub elements and said spokes having generally radial orientations, said tabs being offset from adjacent radial lines and generally paralleling the same, whereby inversion of said hub elements relative to each other and substantial juxtaposition thereof enables said spokes to be oriented in aligned juxtaposition and said tabs to be disposed in spaced apart relation to define a plurality of pairs thereof, the aforesaid fingers being respectively interposed between the tabs of said pairs thereof and pivotally secured thereto, and fastener means for fixedly securing said hub elements to each other.

6. The combination of claim 5, further defined by said fastener means including a plurality of pins respectively arranged with said spokes and fixedly securing juxtaposed spokes to each other.

7. The combination of claim 5, further defined by said retaining means being adjustably carried by said sleeve for selective axial positioning therealong subjacent said hub and supportingly engageable with said fingers, whereby said retaining means may be secured to said sleeve at an upward position therealong to engage said fingers and support the same in outwardly extended generally horizontal positions conducive to internal support of a globe having a subsnt 8. The combination of claim 7, further defined by said sleeve being externally threaded, and said retaining means comprising both a washer disposed on said sleeve subjacent said hub and an adjusting nut threadedly secured to said sleeve subjacent said washer.

9. The combination of claim 8, further defined by said hub being reversibly securable to said sleeve, and said fingers having notches in one side edge thereof at their free ends for engagement with an upwardly turned lip about the opening of a globe in one reversible position of securance of said hub to said sleeve, said fingers on the other sides thereof having generally arcuate outer side edges with raised flat portions at the pivoted ends thereof for engagement with said washer in one position of said hub, said fastener means including a plurality of pins respectively arranged with said spokes and fixedly securing juxtaposed spokes to each other.

10. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub-secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fingers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means adjustably carried by said sleeve for selective axial positioning therealong to retain said fingers in a plurality of positions including position intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes.

11. The combination of claim 10, further defined by said hub being reversibly securable to said sleeve for increasing its versitility in supportingly engaging globes of various configurations. 

1. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fingers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means for selectively retaining said fingers in a plurality of positions including positions intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes, said retaining means being adjustably carried by said sleeve for selective axial positioning therealong subjacent said hub and supportingly engageable with said fingers, whereby said retaining means may be secured to said sleeve at an upward position therealong to engage said fingers and support the same in outwardly extended generally horizontal positions conducive to internal support of a globe having a substantially flat upper wall and also may be secured to said sleeve at a plurality of downward positions therealong to engage said fingers and support the same in a plurality of positions in which they incline downwardly and outwardly and are conducive to internal support of globes having necked-down portions.
 2. The combination of claim 1, further defined by said sleeve being externally threaded, and said retaining means comprising both a washer disposed on said sleeve subjacent said hub and an adjusting nut threadedly secured to said sleeve subjacent said washer.
 3. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fingers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means for selectively retaining said fingers in a plurality of positions including positions intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes, said hub being reversibly securable to said sleeve, and said fingers having notches in one side edge thereof at their free ends for engagement with an upwardly turned lip about the opening of a globe in one reversible position of securance of said hub to said sleeve.
 4. The combination of claim 3, further defined by said fingers on the other sides thereof having generally arcuate outer side edges with raised flat portions at the pivoted ends thereof for engagement with said washer in one position of said hub.
 5. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fingers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means for selectively retaining said fingers in a plurality of positions including positions intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes, said hub comprising a pair of substantially identical hub elements each equipped with a plurality of angularly spaced spokes and a plurality of angularly spaced tabs, said spokes and tabs extending outwardly from the respectively associated hub elements and said spokes having generally radial orientations, said tabs being offset from adjacent radial lines and generally paralleling the same, whereby inversion of said hub elements relative to each other and substantial juxtaposition thereof enables said spokes to be oriented in aligned juxtaposition and said tabs to be disposed in spaced apart relation to define a plurality of pairs thereof, the aforesaid fingers being respectively interposed between the tabs of said pairs thereof and pivotally secured thereto, and fastener means for fixedly securing said hub elements to each other.
 6. The combination of claim 5, further defined by said fastener means including a plurality of pins respectively arranged with said spokes and fixedly securing juxtaposed spokes to each other.
 7. The combination of claim 5, further defined by said retaining means being adjustably carried by said sleeve for selective axial positioning therealong subjacent said hub and supportingly engageable with said fingers, whereby said retaining means may be secured to said sleeve at an upward position therealong to engage said fingers and support the same in outwardly extended generally horizontal positions conducive to internal support of a globe having a subsnt
 8. The combination of claim 7, further defined by said sleeve being externally threaded, and said retaining means comprising both a washer disposed on said sleeve subjacent said hub and an adjusting nut threadedly secured to said sleeve subjacent said washer.
 9. The combination of claim 8, further defined by said hub being reversibly securable to said sleeve, and said fingers having notches in one side edge thereof at their free ends for engagement with an upwardly turned lip about the opening of a globe in one reversible position of securance of said hub to said sleeve, said fingers on the other sides thereof having generally arcuate outer side edges with raised flat portions at the pivoted ends thereof for engagement with said washer in one position of said hub, said fastener means including a plurality of pins respectively arranged with said spokes and fixedly securing juxtaposed spokes to each other.
 10. A universal support for the globe of a light fixture comprising: an axially extending sleeve, a hub secured to said sleeve and having a plurality of angularly spaced fiNgers pivotally secured thereto for movement between inner retracted positions in which they extend generally along said sleeve and outer extended positions in which they are disposed in generally radial directions with respect thereto, and adjustable retaining means adjustably carried by said sleeve for selective axial positioning therealong to retain said fingers in a plurality of positions including position intermediate said inner retracted and outer extended positions, said intermediate positions being conducive to internal supporting engagement with a variety of globes of various configurations and sizes.
 11. The combination of claim 10, further defined by said hub being reversibly securable to said sleeve for increasing its versitility in supportingly engaging globes of various configurations. 